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Comprehensive coverage of international news and global events
European Union public institutions have signed many contracts worth billions of euros with Israeli companies between 2022 and 2025. This business continues despite ongoing international court rulings warning about Israel’s actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Key Facts
EU public institutions agreed to 194 contracts with Israeli companies, totaling nearly 2.7 billion euros ($3.1 billion).
Spain signed 14 contracts worth almost 227 million euros ($257 million) in the same period, including a large defense contract.
The number and value of contracts increased after Israel launched its war on Gaza in 2023.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) found in 2024 that there is a serious risk of harm to Palestinians and said states should not support Israel’s presence in occupied territories.
EU contracts included military equipment, advanced technology, cybersecurity, lab tools, and medical gear.
Hungary, a strong supporter of Israel, signed the most contracts (42) worth about 603 million euros ($684 million).
Countries like Sweden and Spain, which have spoken out against Israel’s military actions, still bought goods and services from Israeli companies.
Germany also signed many contracts with Israeli companies for defense and technology products.
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The article compares the U.S. military in 1776 to its modern form in 2026, showing how it evolved from local militias with basic muskets into a global military power with advanced weapons and technology. Key moments in this transformation include the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and World War I, which introduced industrial and technological changes that shaped the current armed forces.
Key Facts
In 1776, the U.S. military consisted of Continental Army soldiers and local militias using muskets and cannons borrowed from British and French sources.
The Continental Navy and Marine Corps were formed in 1775 and 1776, starting with only 27 warships.
After the Revolutionary War, the U.S. reduced its standing army but established the West Point Military Academy in 1802 to train officers professionally.
The War of 1812 and later conflicts showed the need for a coordinated, professional military including army and navy cooperation.
The American Civil War was the first “industrial war,” where economic and manufacturing strength, especially of the Union, heavily influenced the outcome.
By World War I, the U.S. military became a major global force with machine guns, improved artillery, and better logistics.
Over time, the military added new branches like the Air Force, as well as cyber and space forces, reflecting advances in technology and warfare.
The 250th anniversary of U.S. independence highlights this long development from a ragtag militia to a powerful, modern military.
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There is a current outbreak of the Bundibugyo virus, a type of Ebola, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with over 1,250 cases and at least 362 deaths. Scientists do not yet fully understand where the virus comes from in nature, which makes preventing future outbreaks difficult.
Key Facts
The Bundibugyo virus causes severe symptoms including headaches, diarrhea, kidney and liver failure, and sometimes bleeding.
The virus can still spread after the infected person dies, especially during traditional funeral practices.
There is no proven vaccine for Bundibugyo virus, so controlling the outbreak relies on isolating patients and tracking their contacts.
Bundibugyo is related to the Zaire Ebola virus, responsible for past Ebola outbreaks and the 2014-2016 West Africa epidemic.
It is not confirmed which wild animals carry Bundibugyo virus; bats are suspected but unproven as the source.
Other animals like forest antelopes, gorillas, chimpanzees, and pigs may also play roles in spreading Ebola viruses.
Understanding how these viruses live and spread in wildlife is complicated by challenges in collecting samples and political instability in affected regions.
Reduced funding for health research in some countries hinders the ability to investigate and prevent outbreaks.
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Indian authorities want to bring down the body of a climber called “Green Boots” from Mount Everest, nearly 30 years after he died there. The climber is believed to be Dorje Morup, who died in a deadly 1996 storm while climbing Everest’s northern side in Tibet.
Key Facts
Dorje Morup was part of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police expedition that climbed Everest in May 1996.
Morup and two others died in a storm that killed eight climbers during one of Everest’s deadliest accidents.
Morup’s body, known as “Green Boots” because of his bright green boots, has been a well-known landmark on Everest’s northeast route.
His remains lie high in the “death zone” above 8,000 meters, where oxygen is low and conditions are very dangerous.
India’s Indo-Tibetan Border Police are hiring experts to recover the body, but need permission from Chinese authorities who control the Tibetan side of Everest.
China has recently limited climbing on Everest’s Tibetan side but has not commented on this recovery plan.
Recovering bodies at this altitude is risky, costly, and requires climbers to carry remains down steep, dangerous slopes on foot.
About 350 people have died on Mount Everest since it was first climbed in 1953, with many bodies still left on the mountain.
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Iran’s military command warned that all oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz must follow Iran’s approved routes or face a strong military response. This warning increases tensions in an important waterway for global oil shipments amid ongoing negotiations to end the Iran war.
Key Facts
Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya military command issued a warning about oil tankers using only Iran-approved routes in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow but vital passage for international energy supplies.
Iran said any vessels that do not follow its navigation rules will face “immediate and forceful” military action.
Iran criticized the presence of U.S. fighter jets in the area, saying they threaten regional security.
Iran considers any U.S. interference in the strait’s security a threat to its national sovereignty and will respond quickly.
Iran and the U.S. agreed to a temporary deal letting ships pass without fees for 60 days, but Iran wants to control and charge for passage afterward.
The U.S. and Gulf Arab states oppose Iran’s planned fees for ships passing through the strait.
Recent attempts to create a new shipping route near Oman led to attacks in the Middle East, showing high tensions in the region.
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A fire broke out early Thursday at a hospital in Ludwigslust, Germany, killing two patients and injuring 34 others, mostly due to smoke inhalation. Emergency workers evacuated 82 patients, and the fire is now under control while investigations continue.
Key Facts
The fire started in a patient’s room at Helene-von-Bulow-Klinikum hospital.
It spread quickly to the roof area above the radiology department.
Two patients died as a result of the fire.
Thirty-four others were hurt, mainly from breathing in smoke; none are in critical condition.
Emergency teams evacuated 82 patients from the hospital.
More than 100 emergency workers responded to the fire.
The hospital’s emergency room was temporarily closed but has now reopened.
Police are investigating the cause of the fire, which is still unknown.
Ludwigslust is in northeastern Germany, about 40 km south of Schwerin.
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Tropical Storm Douglas formed in the eastern Pacific Ocean on July 1, 2026. It is currently far from land and expected to stay over open water while slowly strengthening before weakening and losing tropical storm status by Friday.
Key Facts
Douglas formed about 1,220 miles west-southwest of Baja California, Mexico.
The storm's maximum sustained winds are 40 mph.
Douglas is moving north at about 7 mph.
Tropical-storm-force winds can reach 90 miles from the storm’s center.
Forecasters expect Douglas to gain strength through Wednesday night, then weaken by Thursday.
Douglas is not expected to become a hurricane (which requires winds of 74 mph or higher).
The storm’s path keeps it far from land, so no warnings or watches have been issued.
Douglas will likely weaken into a tropical depression and then a remnant low by Friday.
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Researchers found that Russia used drones launched from hidden ships over 18 months to spy on nuclear sites in several European countries including the UK, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The drones were not intercepted by Western militaries, revealing weaknesses in NATO’s air defenses.
Key Facts
The surveillance lasted about 18 months, starting in late 2024.
Russia’s drones flew over nuclear sites and military airbases in more than a dozen NATO countries plus Ireland.
Some targeted sites were RAF Lakenheath in the UK and the Île Longue submarine base in France.
Drones were launched from “shadow fleet” vessels that turned off tracking devices to stay hidden.
Western military forces did not shoot down or capture these drones despite repeated sightings.
The drone campaign showed NATO’s defenses struggled with small, low-flying unmanned aircraft.
Russia’s goals included spying on nuclear forces, gathering military logistics info, and applying pressure through psychological tactics.
Drone sightings decreased after European navies started capturing these shadow vessels in 2026.
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A bus traveling from Cape Town to Eastern Cape in South Africa overturned early Thursday, killing 16 people and injuring 20. The crash happened after the bus driver tried to avoid hitting another vehicle and lost control.
Key Facts
The bus was carrying 78 passengers from Cape Town (Western Cape) to Idutywa (Eastern Cape).
The driver swerved to avoid a delivery vehicle and then lost control, causing the bus to overturn.
Initial reports said 9 people died, but later the death toll rose to 16.
Twenty injured passengers were taken to a hospital in Worcester, about 120 km from Cape Town.
Forty-three passengers refused medical treatment at the scene.
The crash is under investigation by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and South African Police Services.
Authorities warned about dangerous winter driving conditions like fog, smoke, black ice, and poor visibility.
This is the second deadly bus accident in South Africa this week; another bus overturned in Limpopo on Wednesday, killing the driver.
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A young couple in Indonesia’s Aceh province was publicly caned for kissing during a TikTok livestream, which violated local Islamic law. The couple each received 21 lashes, a reduced sentence from 25 due to time already spent in jail.
Key Facts
The couple kissed during a TikTok livestream in Banda Aceh, Aceh’s capital.
They were arrested in April after the video went viral in February.
Aceh is the only Indonesian province that enforces Islamic Sharia law.
The law includes punishments such as caning for moral offenses like adultery and public displays of affection by unmarried couples.
The couple was sentenced to 25 lashes but got 21 because of four months already served in prison.
Public canings are held openly, witnessed by many people.
Amnesty International criticized the caning as cruel and a human rights violation.
The court confiscated the couple’s cell phone and a USB drive with the video to destroy as evidence.
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Russia is facing serious fuel shortages after Ukrainian drone attacks damaged many of its oil refineries. The government is controlling fuel sales, banning fuel exports, and importing fuel from other countries to manage the crisis while the war in Ukraine continues.
Key Facts
Ukrainian drone strikes have disabled about 25% of Russia’s oil refining capacity.
Fuel shortages have caused long lines at gas stations and empty pumps in cities like Moscow.
Russia limits fuel sales to about 20-30 liters per vehicle and prohibits filling extra containers.
The government has banned petrol and jet fuel exports and is considering banning diesel exports.
Russia is allowing lower-grade fuels temporarily to ease the shortage.
Crimea declared a state of emergency due to fuel shortages affecting essential services.
Russia is importing fuel from countries like Belarus, India, and other Asian markets.
President Putin says the fuel shortage is not “critical” but acknowledges there are problems.
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A 19-year-old man named Peter Stokes was arrested in Finland and sent to the US for hacking crimes linked to a group called Scattered Spider. The US Department of Justice says the group carried out expensive cyberattacks, including one on a luxury jewelry company and others that affected millions of people in the UK.
Key Facts
Peter Stokes was arrested in Finland in April and extradited to the US.
He is charged with computer intrusion, conspiracy, and fraud.
Scattered Spider hackers demanded about $8 million in cryptocurrency from a jewelry company after stealing its data.
The jewelry company did not pay the ransom but lost at least $2 million from disruption and recovery costs.
The group is linked to hacks causing over $100 million in ransom payments overall.
Two men previously pleaded guilty to crimes linked to the group’s 2024 cyberattack on Transport for London, which exposed data on 10 million people.
The group also targeted British retailers like Co-op and M&S.
The hackers are believed to be young, English-speaking people from the US and UK.
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The Vatican officially excommunicated six bishops linked to the Society of Saint Pius X after they ordained four priests without the Pope's permission. The Vatican said this act was against the Pope’s authority and labeled it as a break from the Church.
Key Facts
Six bishops connected to the traditionalist group Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) were excommunicated.
The excommunication followed the ordination of four priests without approval from the Pope.
The ordinations took place in Écône, Switzerland.
The Vatican described the ordinations as an act of schism, meaning breaking away from Church unity.
The decree came from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, a Vatican department that handles Church doctrine.
The bishops involved include Alfonso de Galarreta and Bernard Fellay who performed the ordinations.
The newly ordained priests named are Pascal Schreiber, Michael Goldade, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry, and Marc Hanappier.
The excommunication happened automatically ("ipso facto") due to the unauthorized ordinations.
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Russia launched its largest attack so far on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, using missiles and drones. The strike killed at least 13 people, injured many, and damaged buildings and infrastructure across the city.
Key Facts
Russia used 74 missiles and 496 drones in the attack on Kyiv.
The attack caused damage in 30 locations, mainly affecting residential buildings and civilian areas.
At least 13 people died and many more were injured during the overnight attack.
Kyiv’s mayor and other officials warned residents to shelter in metro stations and stay indoors.
Ukraine’s emergency services sent nearly 500 workers and 100 vehicles to respond to fires and rescue operations.
Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy asked the U.S. for a license to produce Patriot air defense missiles.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister urged allies to send more air defense systems after the attack.
Russia claimed the strike targeted military plants, but Ukrainian officials said it mainly hit civilian sites.
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Iran developed the Shahed-136 drone, a low-cost "suicide" drone used to attack enemy targets by flying into them. This drone is effective because it is cheap, easy to produce, and can overwhelm expensive air defenses by sheer numbers. Its design traces back to Cold War-era technology from Germany and Israel, but Iran added modern guidance systems to improve it.
Key Facts
The Shahed-136 drone costs between $7,000 and $50,000 each, much cheaper than typical missile strikes.
It is called a "loitering munition" or "kamikaze drone" because it waits near the target and then crashes into it to cause damage.
The drone uses satellite navigation like GPS to find targets, instead of detecting radar emissions.
The drone was developed by Iran’s IRGC-linked Shahed Aviation Industries.
Its design is based on earlier projects, like West Germany’s DAR drone and Israel’s Harpy drone.
Iran likely improved the drone after acquiring Israeli models used in Syria.
Countries like Russia are using copies of the Shahed-136 in conflicts like the war in Ukraine.
The drone forces opponents to spend expensive interceptors to stop cheap, mass-produced drones.
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Russian missiles and drones attacked Kyiv early on July 2, 2026, killing at least 13 people and injuring many others. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked the United States for permission to produce Patriot missile defense systems to help stop such attacks.
Key Facts
Russian missile and drone strikes hit several districts in Kyiv, causing fires and damage to residential buildings.
At least 13 people were killed and dozens were wounded in the attack.
Kyiv residents sought shelter in basements, underground parking lots, and subway stations during the missile waves.
Part of a subway station ceiling partially collapsed due to the attack.
Ukrainian President Zelensky called the attacks a "massive attack" and requested U.S. licenses to produce Patriot missiles.
EU diplomat Kaja Kallas plans to propose new sanctions against entities supporting Russia’s military industry.
EU staff members in Kyiv were safe following the attack.
Zelensky emphasized the importance of advancing air defense cooperation to prevent future attacks and help end the war.
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An 11-year-old boy driving a pickup truck crashed into a group of monks walking on a pilgrimage in northeastern Thailand. The accident killed eight monks and injured fourteen others.
Key Facts
The crash happened in Mukdahan province, about 600 kilometers northeast of Bangkok.
35 monks were walking on a pilgrimage when the accident occurred.
Five monks died at the scene, and three more died later at a hospital.
Fourteen monks were injured and taken to the hospital.
The 11-year-old boy driver is now in police custody.
Police are still investigating the cause of the accident.
Witnesses said the vehicle lost balance before sliding off the road and hitting the monks.
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A fire broke out at a hospital in Ludwigslust, northern Germany, killing two patients. The fire started early in the morning, leading to the evacuation of patients and staff, with no serious injuries reported among others.
Key Facts
The fire happened at a hospital in Ludwigslust, northwest of Berlin, Germany.
Two patients died in the fire.
The fire began in a patient’s room before dawn.
The hospital’s roof caught fire.
Patients and staff were evacuated safely.
No serious injuries were reported among other people.
The incident was reported by the German news agency dpa.
Regional officials provided information about the fire and casualties.
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The Vatican declared the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) in schism after the group consecrated four bishops without the pope’s permission. The Vatican excommunicated those bishops and those who took part, invalidated some sacraments offered by the SSPX, and warned its followers to stop attending their services.
Key Facts
The Society of St. Pius X held a ceremony in Econe, Switzerland, consecrating four new bishops without approval from the pope.
The Vatican responded by declaring the SSPX in schism, meaning it broke away from the Catholic Church.
The Vatican excommunicated the four new bishops and two bishops who helped with the ceremony.
The church invalidated confessions and marriages conducted by SSPX priests.
The Vatican warned people who attend SSPX services that they are considered schismatic and excommunicated.
The SSPX rejects the Catholic Church’s modern reforms and prefers the traditional Latin Mass.
The sanctions issued were stronger than usual and reversed recent Vatican concessions to the SSPX.
The SSPX was founded in 1970 by French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in opposition to changes in the Catholic Church.
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Rescuers in Venezuela are trying to save a man trapped for eight days under rubble after powerful earthquakes hit the country. The disaster has killed over 2,200 people, left tens of thousands missing, and caused serious shortages of food, water, and shelter.
Key Facts
A 43-year-old security guard, Hernan Gil, has been trapped under a collapsed building for eight days.
Rescuers from seven countries are working together to reach him.
The earthquakes on June 24 have killed at least 2,295 people and injured more than 11,000.
About 50,000 people are missing, and nearly 13,000 people have lost their homes.
In the hardest-hit area, La Guaira, people wait in long lines for food and water.
Four police officers were arrested for allegedly stealing belongings from the disaster area.
Many families are sleeping outside because their homes were destroyed.
The World Food Programme requested $50 million to feed 500,000 people for three months.
Health officials warn of possible disease outbreaks due to the damage and lack of services.
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